Saturday, July 1, 2017

Being able to participate matters - Let’s build a more inclusive, accessible Manitoba

Too often, our homes, buildings, and outdoor spaces are
designed without sufficient consideration given to how they will impact little
people, those with large bodies, or those with disabilities. Manitoba should become a leader in designing
and building new structures so they’re comfortable and accessible to all. Further, the province needs to do more to
adapt our existing infrastructure, so that it meets everyone’s needs.

The design of our built environment makes daily living a
challenge for too many. A friend, who
uses a wheelchair, must call ahead wherever she goes to ensure she can enter a
restaurant, store, salon, etc. A young person in River Heights has a struggle each fall to make sure that with his cerebral palsy he is able to get the support he needs to do well in school. A
large-bodied man I know has been bedridden for five months because he lacks
access to a usable lift or wheelchair.
Samantha Trubyk, President of the Little People of Manitoba, visited the
Legislature recently. She spoke about
the need to adjust the design of light switches, sinks in public bathrooms, and
other built features so little people can comfortably use them.

At some point in our lives, many of us will experience these
types of challenges firsthand. After an
injury or accident, we may have to use a wheelchair. Or, as we get older, we may lose our sight or
hearing (as my father did in the last decade of his life). All of a sudden, the spaces we live in can no
longer be used by us, or only with great difficulty. Designing our built environment so that it works
for everyone makes our society a better and more inclusive place and allows all Manitobans to be comfortable living and working in their own body.

Patrick Falconer, a Winnipeg-based social policy consultant,
has led the effort to establish a “Barrier Free Manitoba” and has been pushing
for changes to building and living standards to accommodate all people. Progress has certainly been made over the
last two decades in this regard.
However, it has been far too slow.
The Manitoba government needs to do more. The reports and recommendations from Barrier
Free Manitoba, including the development and implementation of accessibility standards for education and employment need to be implemented without delay.

There are several reasons we need to build a more inclusive,
accessible Manitoba. First of all, it’s
the right thing to do. We should strive
to construct a society that does not exclude people because they have a
disability or are of a certain shape or size.
Second, building a barrier free province will allow more people to
participate in societal activities, increasing health, happiness, and
productivity. Finally, there are strong
economic imperatives for action.
Deciding we’re going to become a leader in this area will foster
technological innovation, which will help spur economic growth. The world is moving towards being more
inclusive. The products of the future will
be those that work for all. Let’s
encourage Manitoba business and industry to develop products and services that
improve accessibility. In so doing, we not
only help build a better world but we also create good jobs for all Manitobans.

If I become leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party
(“MLP”), I will work vigorously to push this agenda forward. Please help me do so by taking out a MLP membership
and voting for me at October’s leadership convention. Click on this link https://www.manitobaliberals.ca/donate and be sure to put, in the space for a “Note”
near the top of the second page (under the email), “in support of Jon Gerrard.” Thank you for your help.